The Four Grief Personas with Sarah Baldwin

Today on the The Death & Resurrection Doula Podcast,host Laurel Nicholson is joined by Sarah Baldwin, co-founder of Restfully and creator of the Grief Persona framework, to discuss how people experience and process grief.

Sarah shares her personal journey into this work following the loss of her mother, and how her background in data analytics led her to identify patterns in the way individuals navigate loss. Together, Laurel and Sarah explore the four grief personas—the Open Heart, the Steady Hand, the Quiet Anchor, and the Seeker—offering a helpful lens for understanding the different ways people respond to grief.

The conversation highlights how these differences can create tension, especially during end-of-life care or funeral planning, but also how they can become a pathway to better communication and even healing. Laurel reflects on how this framework intersects with Christian theology, reminding listeners that while grief is an inevitable part of life, it is not without meaning, nor without hope in Christ.

(00:00) Introduction & Sarah Baldwin’s Story
(01:00) The Loss That Inspired Restfully
(05:00) The Four Grief Personas Explained
(07:00) Moving Between Grief Personas
(09:00) Anthropology, Faith & Human Nature in Grief
(11:00) Why Different Grief Styles Create Conflict
(13:00) Finding Healing Through Understanding Others
(15:00) Communicating Your Grief Needs Clearly
(17:00) Practical Tools for Navigating Grief
(21:30) How to Get Started with Restfully

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Welcome to The Death & Resurrection Doula Podcast, a space where faith, theology, and end-of-life care meet in the form of compassionate, hope-filled conversation.  Hosted by Christian End-of-Life Doula Practitioner and Theologian Laurel Nicholson, this podcast serves as an invitation to explore the sacred realities of death and our resurrection into eternal life through the power of Jesus Christ.

Each episode offers thoughtful reflection and meaningful dialogue—whether through rich theological insights, heartfelt discussions with those serving within and around end-of-life care, or with shared moments drawn from our live fellowship community. All are united by a single purpose: to remove the taboo surrounding death and to proclaim the joy of returning home to spend eternity with our loving God.    

Visit https://deathandresurrectiondoula.com/ for more information and to register for training.